Dear neighbour,
We are back.
On Tuesday April 15, the Honourable Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumond delivered the Throne Speech to a packed house. The speech outlined the government's agenda for the legislative session.
The main thrust of the speech was what are we going to do about the spectre of Trump. We are facing economically devastating tariffs and the threat of becoming a 51st state. We can no longer rely on our biggest trading partner and closest ally, upending 200 years of peace. We urgently need to become more self-reliant. The question is how.
Some proposals we know are coming have merit, like reducing barriers to interprovincial trade. Others are alarming, like speeding up approval for business to mine in the Ring of Fire, with no talk of sustainability or ensuring free, prior and informed consent from First Nations.
We have struck up an economic advisory council to consult with industry, labour, experts and elected leaders. Together we will propose solutions to help Ontario build back better, from investing in public infrastructure and services to create jobs, to helping to build affordable housing in Ontario factories.
We can come out of this crisis stronger.
Sincerely,
Jessica Bell
MPP, University-Rosedale
In this newsletter:
- A new role, and a big responsibility
- Massive new bill puts environment, oversight, and consultation at risk
- New bill promises internal free trade but will it deliver real change?
- Growing backlash over Therme deal
- Ontario’s spending is up but outcomes are worse
- Enbridge is making it too hard to cancel gas service
- Fund childcare and strengthen communities
- Join us on our Renter Summit on Thursday May 1
- Free tax clinics
- We are hiring
A new role, and a big responsibility
After four years as the Official Opposition’s Housing Critic, I’m honoured to step into a new role as Shadow Minister for Finance and the Treasury Board.
During my time on the housing file, I worked to push this government for real solutions to our housing crisis. I introduced legislation to restore real rent control, strengthen the enforcement of Ontario’s rental laws, and support the development of non-profit, co-op, and public housing. I also worked with municipal leaders and housing experts to call for more accountability in the private market and to ensure government land is used to build homes people can actually afford.
Now, I’ll be leading the Official Opposition's response to the provincial budget and holding the Ford government accountable for how public money is spent.
Budgets aren’t just numbers. They’re moral documents. They show us who a government is prioritizing and who’s being left behind.
I’ll also be serving on the Leader’s Advisory Council on Tariff Response and Economic Security, which will lead consultations with industry, labour, sector experts, and elected officials to help guide our economic strategy in the face of growing uncertainty, including U.S. tariff threats.
Here’s what I’ll be watching for in the upcoming budget:
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Real investments in health care, education, and municipal services so our cities can function.
• A clear plan to build deeply affordable housing in partnership with non-profits and municipalities.
• Support for made-in-Ontario manufacturing and a just transition to a green economy.
This is a critical moment for Ontario. I’m looking forward to your feedback and working with you to fight for a fairer, more sustainable future.
Massive new bill puts environment, oversight, and consultation at risk
Today, the Ford government introduced Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, a massive omnibus bill that overhauls laws across 10 schedules, affects at least 8 ministries, and introduces or repeals dozens of regulations tied to mining, energy, environmental protection, at risk species, and heritage conservation.
While my team and I are still reviewing the bill, it is clear that it will make sweeping changes to who gets a say or who doesn’t in major industrial and resource projects across the province. Some concerning changes include:
- Weakened protections for endangered species and habitat.
- Faster approvals for mines and infrastructure without clear commitments to environmental oversight.
- Sweeping powers to override local rules in newly created “special economic zones.”
- No clear plan to uphold free, prior, and informed consent for First Nations.
I’ll be watching this bill closely and will share more information as we learn it. I also want to hear your feedback. Email me at [email protected]. To make a written submission or request to appear at committee, follow this link.
New bill promises internal free trade but will it deliver real change?On Wednesday, the Ford government introduced Bill 2, the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025. The bill is part of the government’s response to growing economic uncertainty and the threat of U.S. tariffs. It aims to make it easier to trade and work across provincial borders but how much will really change remains unclear. Here’s what the bill does:
The Ford government is making a big deal about removing Ontario’s 23 “exceptions” under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). These exceptions are formal notices that Ontario has opted out of certain trade rules. For example, rules around alcohol distribution or electricity markets. Removing those exceptions sound good in theory, but the actual policies behind them aren’t being repealed. In other words, the rules that restrict trade in those areas are still in place. What this does mean is Ontario could now face legal challenges from other provinces under the CFTA’s dispute resolution process. But that process is rarely used (only two cases were cited in last year’s report), and even when it is, it doesn’t necessarily result in meaningful change. You can read more analysis in this explainer from TV Ontario. Some of what’s proposed here has potential, some appears to be symbolic. And we still don’t know how much of this will work in practice. Much of the bill is short on detail, and there’s no timeline for when or how some of these ideas will be rolled out. We need real investments in public infrastructure, good local jobs, and made-in-Ontario industries, including in the growing green economy. That is how we build a fair economy that supports workers, strengthens communities, and prepares us for the challenges ahead. I’m ready to take a collaborative approach and work with anyone focused on solutions. If you have feedback on this bill, please send it [email protected]. You can also participate in the committee process by following this link. |
Growing backlash over Therme deal
On Wednesday, The New York Times published a scathing article on the Ford government’s Therme spa deal. Now the world is taking notice of what Ontarians have known for months: this is a very bad deal for the public.
Therme, a private foreign company with just one operating location and no track record in Canada, was handed a 95-year lease on prime public waterfront land. A deal approved behind closed doors and backed by hundreds of millions in public funds. Meanwhile, we lose access to vital green space at Ontario Place.
At a press conference, Premier Ford said he would "look into" the allegations. But we deserve more than vague promises. This luxury spa will cost every household in Ontario $400 each. Public land should serve the public good, not private profit. Cancel the deal.
Add your name to the petition to cancel the deal here.
Ontario’s spending is up, but outcomes are worse
A new report from Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office (FAO) shows the Ford government is spending more than ever—but delivering less for Ontarians.
Here’s what you need to know:
Health care spending is up, but care is worse
Despite annual increases, the number of doctors, hospital beds, and long-term care spaces is declining. ER closures and long waits for surgery and specialists are becoming the norm. Why is our healthcare system struggling so much? The first thing we should do is investigate the impact of for-profit care on health care spending and health care quality.
Social assistance is falling behind
When adjusted for inflation, ODSP and Ontario Works rates are lower than 20 years ago. A government has a duty to provide care to people in need. We should be lifting people up, not sending them deeper into poverty, especially at a time when Ontario is experiencing a housing affordability and cost-of-living crisis.
Schools are under strain
The government is not providing school boards with the funding they need to meet their responsibilities. Class sizes have grown, and school boards are warning of budget shortfalls for 2025–26. Most funding increases are tied to federal childcare programs, not core classroom supports.
Federal money is being withheld
Federal transfers are up, but the province isn’t passing all that funding along. Health care dollars should be going to health care, not sitting in provincial coffers while services suffer.
See more details in my blog post here. I want to hear your thoughts and feedback. Email me at [email protected] or call my office at 416 535 7206
Enbridge is making it too hard to cancel gas service
Across Ontario, more households are moving away from fossil fuels and installing electric heat pumps to help with both heating and cooling. This change is helping people lower both their carbon footprint and their energy bill. With natural gas prices set to rise again this spring, it’s a shift that makes both environmental and economic sense.
But many people are finding that Enbridge is making it far too difficult to cancel gas service. Reports include:
- Months-long delays
- Surprise bills after disconnection
- Confusing or contradictory instructions
- Meters left connected despite cancellation requests
This isn’t just frustrating, it’s unfair and it’s slowing Ontario’s shift to cleaner, more affordable energy.
That’s why I’ve written to Susanna Zagar, CEO of the Ontario Energy Board, urging the OEB to step in and direct Enbridge to create a clear, consistent, and no-cost process for customers who want to cancel gas service.
If you’ve had a similar experience, I want to hear from you. Please email my office at [email protected].
Fund childcare and strengthen communities
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) are calling on the provincial government to invest in childcare spaces in schools, especially in high-needs areas. It’s a smart and cost-effective model: putting childcare where kids already are, in buildings that already exist.
But this government cancelled previously approved funding for these spaces, including one at Pope Francis School. After the closure of Carmelite Day Nursery, nearly 200 families lost access to childcare. The community came together with a solution: a childcare centre at Pope Francis School that would serve families and strengthen the neighbourhood. The only thing missing is provincial investment.
I’ve written a public sign-on letter to Education Minister Paul Calandra urging the province to fund 3,000 childcare spaces across Toronto, including at Pope Francis School. More information on the letter here. Let’s put childcare where it’s needed.
Join us at our Renter Summit on Thursday May 1
We’re hosting a Renter Housing Summit this May 1, to bring together renters, students, advocacy groups, and legal clinics to discuss how you can protect your home and advocate to change laws that will help everyone who rents. We’ll be discussing:
- How do you challenge an Above Guideline Rent Increase (AGI)?
- What are the new laws affecting renovictions?
- How do we stop demovictions?
- Setting up, organizing and strengthening tenant associations
- Housing topics that are important to you
Strong renter organizing is key to pushing for better housing policies and protecting renters' rights at the municipal, provincial and federal level. We hope you can join us for this important event.
You can RSVP here.
Free tax clinics
It’s tax season and the deadline to file your 2024 taxes is Wednesday, April 30th.You can find a free local tax clinic using the Federal government’s online search tool.
Here are some free tax clinics located in the University-Rosedale riding that offer appointments:
Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre Tax Clinic
- Address: 854 Bloor St West, M6G1M2
- By appointment only.
- Phone number: (416) 792-8941
- Email address: [email protected]
- Hours: Mon-Fri from 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Languages: English, Cantonese, Portuguese, Spanish
- This location is wheelchair accessible
Cecil Tax Clinic
- Address: 58 Cecil St, M5T1N6
- By appointment only.
- Phone number: (437) 616-4443
- Email address: [email protected]
- Hours: Mon-Fri from 03:00 PM - 08:00 PM
- Languages: English
- This location is wheelchair accessible
Common Table Tax Clinic
- Address: Church of the Redeemer, 162 Bloor St W, M5S1M4
- By appointment only.
- Phone number: (647) 872-3337 or (647) 313-1027
- Email address: [email protected]
- Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9am – 11pm.
- For seniors and OW/ODSP recipients
- This location is wheelchair accessible.
Don’t forget to bring your tax slips and receipts, and a piece of government issued photo ID.
We’re hiring! Join our team
Our University–Rosedale office is hiring a temporary full-time Constituency Assistant for a 10-week contract.
We’re looking for someone who’s organized, great with people, and skilled at writing and social media.You’ll help support constituents, strengthen our presence in the community, and assist with our work at Queen’s Park, especially in my new role as Shadow Minister of Finance and Treasury Board.
10-week full-time term
$73,343.56/year (prorated), 32.5 hrs/week
Open until filled
Information about the job and how to apply in this link: ndp.bamboohr.com/careers/410
Please include a brief cover letter and resume.
We’re committed to equity and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. Accommodations available on request.
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